Thelma E. Beekman, 97, passed into Heaven’s glory on July 2, 2024 with family by her
side. She was born on December 7, 1926 to Evaline Ogden Murphy.
She married Darwin “Buddy” Beekman in 1945.
Thelma loved spending time with her family and worked hard to take care of them. She
enjoyed cooking, sewing, bird watching, and taking care of her yard and flowers. In her
younger years, she worked as a seamstress. She loved the Lord and was a member of
Eastview Baptist Church in Springfield.
Thelma is survived by two daughters, Susan Murphy and Janice (Bob) Swearingen. She
was Mamaw to four grandchildren: Dawn (Gordon) Carvalho, Erin (Bennie) Fisher, Jeff
(Erica) Swearingen, and Lauren (Gregg) Swearingen. She also has seven great grandchildren: Nick Armstrong, Natalie Armstrong, Arielle Fisher, Max Fisher, Tad
Fisher, Elias Swearingen, and Oliver Swearingen. She was aunt to several nieces and
nephews and has a brother-in-law Don Wright.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Darwin Beekman; her mother Evaline;
her siblings, Winnie, Bill, and Eugene; her son-in-law, Paul Murphy, and her
sisters-in-law Betty Myers and Helen Wright.
The family will receive friends on Monday, July 8, 2024 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. with a
Celebration of Life Service at 3:30 p.m. at Staab Funeral Home, 1109 South Fifth Street,
Springfield, IL 62703. A private family burial will take place on July 9th at Oak Ridge
Cemetery with Pastor Bennie Fisher officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to Eastview Baptist Church.
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